ISRAEL: International Statement Calls On Hamas To Accept US Ceasefire Deal

The White House has released a joint statement with the leaders of 16 other nations calling for Hamas to accept the hostages-for-ceasefire deal outlined by President Joe Biden at the end of May. The statement says "We call on Hamas to close this agreement, that Israel is ready to move forward with, and begin the process of releasing our citizens. We note that this agreement would lead to an immediate ceasefire and rehabilitation of Gaza together with security assurances for Israelis, and Palestinians, and opportunities for a more enduring long-term peace and a two-state solution."

• The statement also calls on Israel "...as well as Hamas to make whatever final compromises are necessary to close this deal [...].  It is time for the war to end and this deal is the necessary starting point."
• The joint statement comes as Times of Israel reports claim Hamas "...officials rejected the [Israeli] proposal for a hostage-ceasefire deal, claiming it was fundamentally different from the deal presented by US President Joe Biden. Hamas sources tell Asharq Al-Awsat that the terror group wants clear guarantees that the war will end. [...] It should be noted that this did not appear to be a formal rejection of the proposal by the terror group."